Living Environment Key Idea

ELEMENTARY SCIENCE LIVING ENVIRONMENT KEY IDEAS AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

1. Living things are both similar to and different from each other and nonliving things.

• describe the the characteristics and variations between living and nonliving things
• describe the life processes common to all living things

2. Organisms inherit genetic information in a variety of ways that result in continuity of structure and function between parents and offspring.

• recognize that traits of living things are both inherited and acquired or learned
• recognize that for humans and other living things there is genetic continuity between generations

3. Individual organisms and species change over time.

• describe how the structures of plants and animals comlement the environement of the plant or animal
• observe that differences within a species may give individuals an advantage in surviving and reproducing

4. The continuity of life is sustained through reproduction and development.

• describe the major stages in the life cycles of slected plants and animals
• describe evidence of growth, repair, and maintenance

5. Organisms maintain a dynamic equilibrium that sustains life.

• describe basic life functions of common living specimens
• describe some survival behaviores of common living specimens
• describe the factors that help promote good health and growth in humans

6. Plants and animals depend on each other and their physical environment.

• describe how plants and animals, including humans, depend upon each other and the nonliving environment
• describe the relationship of the sun as as energy source for living and nonliving cycles

7. Human decisions and activities have had a profound impact on the physical and living environment.

• identify ways in which humans have changed their environment and the effects of those changes